Chael's Luck (A Knights of Dorathan Novel) (3 page)

“I’m not sure if you remember, but the first
thing Dad told me when he realized you weren’t going to turn grey
was, ‘well, I was going to give him to you regardless, Chael, but
now there’s no doubt in my mind this horse is meant to be
yours’.”

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“We’re a pair, you and I. I couldn’t get rid of you if someone
offered me a year’s salary. We’re different and because of that, we
have to stick together.”

Klora took a deep breath and snorted.

“Many of them expect us to fail, tomorrow.
I’m too small… They know something’s off, but they can’t put a
finger on what it is. And you, well, Chael’s luck, you’re black;
black and flightier than the wild kittens that live in the hay
loft.” I gave him one last pat on the nose. “We’ll prove them
wrong, tomorrow. I’ll take care of the fighting and you take care
of the running, yeah?”

His soft nose touched my cheek. The wind
outside had subsided and by the sounds of it, so had the rain.

“Get some sleep,” I ordered as I stepped out
of the barn.

Once I was undressed and dry once again, I
stretched out under my blankets. Whisk’s tail thumped the floor by
the bed and I reached a hand down to pet him.

“Good night, Whisk.” I rolled onto my side
and closed my eyes.

I felt myself start to dream before I was
fully asleep and suddenly, I found myself sitting on a fallen log
in a clearing. Klora stood tethered a few feet from me, his ears
twitching lazily in the sun as he grazed on the long grass. I
looked around, knowing I’d be getting a visitor. This time, I was
shown my father. He smiled and came to sit beside me.

“He’s a good horse.” He nodded toward Klora.
“You’ll have no problems with the race.”

“Caleb won’t make things easy for me.” I
voiced my worries, just as I’d learned to do at a young age when
these strange dreams had started to occur.

“No, he won’t. It’s a guarantee he’ll make
things hard on a few of the lads. Having said that, your dislike of
Caleb can’t get in the way of your goals.”

“You mean winning?”

“If that’s your goal.”

I frowned. Winning was definitely something I
wanted. It was something I’d been working toward my entire life.
The knights’ games were made to show off your talents; to prove you
weren’t being knighted just because your father was a knight. There
were many out there who looked at me, my small size, my lack of
muscle, and assumed just that. We were one of the Knighthood’s
oldest families and I was my father’s only child. I smiled at
him.

“Don’t worry, dad. I’ll win.”

“I know you will, though I don’t think it
will be exactly how you planned.”

I opened my mouth to ask what he meant and
stopped as he vanished. I sat for a while longer, wondering if I
was going to get any other visitors. When it became obvious I
wouldn’t, I stood, which promptly propelled me into another dream,
one I wouldn’t remember in the morning.

*****

My father smiled down at me as I stepped out
of the cabin. I looked up at him on Klard’s back and had to squint
to keep the mist of rain out of my eyes.

“How does it feel?” he inquired.

I shrugged and had to tighten my hold on
Klora’s reins as he sidestepped at the sound of my armor moving.
“It’s not like I haven’t put it on before. By gods, I’ve practiced
in it enough times.”

He rolled his eyes. “Not the armor… the day.
Today, you become a Shadow Knight.” His smile widened as he said
it.

I couldn’t help smiling back. “It feels good.
Of course, it hasn’t happened yet. Let’s keep the celebrating to a
minimum until it does. You didn’t name me Chael for no reason and I
don’t want his luck following me into the arena.” I swung onto
Klora and gave a whistle. Whisk came loping around the side of the
barn and came to sit beside my mount.

“You’re bringing the dog?”

“Of course. I want to have someone there
besides you cheering for me.”

“There will be plenty of people there
cheering.”

“Well, either way, he helps to keep Klora
calm.” Whisk’s tail thumped the ground and Klora jumped to the
side, almost leaving me in the dirt. “Well, most of the time.” I
patted the thick neck under me. “There, now, Klora. Remember our
talk last night.” I made sure my sword was secure in its scabbard
on my saddle, hung my shield on my back, and tied my slaggens
behind my seat.

My father grinned at me and I rolled my eyes.
“I’ll be glad when I no longer have to wear all of this bothersome
metal,” I grumbled. He looked so comfortable wearing his regular
deer skin pants, high boots, tunic, and riding cloak. The only
extra protection the Shadow Knights had to bother with was a thick
leather vest.

“Quit complaining and let’s get moving.”

The horses broke into an easy canter as we
made our way toward the city of Gleama just as the sun broke over
the horizon.

We rode through the gates just before midday.
Though I’d been born and raised just a short distance away and had
been in the city numerous times, I was still amazed by the tall
white rock buildings spread along dark grey cobblestone streets.
Klora’s shoes hit the stone and I tightened my hold on him to keep
him in check. The last thing I needed on the day I was to be
knighted was to kill an innocent child who happened to get in the
way of my runaway horse. I smiled at a small girl holding on to her
mom’s hand as she stared up at me, her eyes wide. My chest swelled
with pride. Today I would be knighted. Today, Chael’s luck would
end. The thought brought a bigger smile to my face. Literally.
Today, I would show them I deserved the title they would give me.
Today, they would see.

“Chael.”

My father’s voice interrupted my thoughts and
I looked back at him. I could see he was trying not to laugh.
Without a word, I turned Klora back toward the street I had
forgotten to turn onto.

“What were you thinking about?”

I shrugged. He glanced at me.

“It will be fine. You’ll do fine.”

I nodded and stopped Klora at the gates to
the arena. The Knight standing guard saluted my father.

“There’s been a change of plans, sir. They’ve
decided to hold the race first this year.” He looked at me. “We
were told you’d been informed.”

I frowned. “No. No one came to tell me.”

“We sent the runners out a week or so ago.
Caleb told us he’d told you.”

My father grunted. “What time does the race
start?”

The man looked into the sky and looked at us
apologetically. “You have twenty minutes or so to get there, I’d
say.”

I swore, turned Klora and trotted back toward
the gates that led out of the city. Once outside the walls, we
kicked the horses into a fast canter.

“Blasted Caleb!” I shouted to my father. “Why
does he insist on being such an ass?”

My father frowned. “There are those among us
who will forever try to make other’s lives miserable.” He glanced
at me as Klora found another gear. “Calm yourself, Chael. Don’t
burn him out before we get there.”

I took a deep breath and tried to forget how
angry I was Caleb. We’d grown up together; had trained together
since we’d been five years old, and yet he’d never been someone I
could have considered a friend. In fact, though I got along with
everyone for the most part, the twins, Harry and Hal were probably
the only ones I would consider true friends with Mac a close third,
though since he’s started to spend a lot of time with Caleb the
last year, he hadn’t been a part of our group as much.

I could see a crowd standing at the top of
the long hill we were climbing. I breathed a sigh of relief as
someone spotted us and put up our family’s flag. Pride swelled my
chest at the sight of black winged horse on the green fabric. The
crowd spread and let us through. Caleb’s eyes widened at the sight
of me. Mac grinned. I jumped from my horse, handed the reins to my
father who proceeded to lead him around so he could catch his
breath. I stripped out of my armor as quickly as I could. Mac rode
up on his almost white mare.

“Glad you could join us.”

I frowned at him. “If you were so worried I
wouldn’t be here, you should have told me about the change in date
the day you ran into me last week.” I swung back up onto Klora and
gave him a pat on the neck. “Easy, boy.”

“Caleb said the runner had already told
you.”

I shook my head. “He got to Caleb first who
told him he’d let me know.”

“So you don’t know about the change in the
course, then.”

I tried not to let my shoulders sag. “There’s
a change?”

Mac swore. “Bastard.”

“He’s you’re friend.”

“He is, but his high and mighty attitude’s
been taking a turn for the worst the past few months. This is about
as low as a Knight-to-be could stoop.” We turned our horses toward
the starting line where Caleb was already sitting. His glare
followed us as we approached. I ignored him and looked at line of
ten horses and riders. Everyone had their usual steed which meant
that of the ten of us, there were four with enough horsepower to
win this race.

“The change in the course… you remember the
third fork?”

I nodded and watched as General Krane rode to
the middle of the clearing that marked the start of the race.

Mac continued with his explanation, though
his focus was solely on the General. “Take the road to the right
instead of the left.”

I frowned. “They’re lengthening the race by a
whole mile?”

He nodded. His mare snorted and Klora jumped
away from her which caused the crowd to laugh. This, in turn,
caused him to dance around nervously. I pulled him around in small
circles, trying to get him to relax.

“Chael, can’t you get that horse to sit still
for one minute so we can get this race started,” growled General
Krane.

I felt the blood rise up into my face. “It
doesn’t appear so, sir.”

He rolled his eyes. “Ladies and gentlemen!”
His voice carried to the people at the back of the crowd. I noticed
more people were watching Klora’s antics than paying attention to
the General.

“Being a good horseman is one of the
qualities that helps to define a Knight. A Knight spends many hours
on the back of his animal; he must fight, defend, all from on his
horse. A Knight’s steed must be sturdy, quick, and dependable.”

Caleb’s gelding, gave a full body shake which
caused Klora to rear. I pulled him around, all the while wishing
the General would get on with it.

“Today’s race will test horses and riders in
areas such as speed, stamina, and agility.”

The crowd was starting to hoot and holler to
show support to whichever Knight-in-training they’d come to watch.
Klora gave a series of half rears and crow hops.

“On your mark!”

Everyone gathered their reins.

“Get set!”

I caught a glimpse of the other
Knights-in-training bent low, ready to start fast.

“Go!”

Everyone shot forward. Well, everyone but me.
I shot backwards as Klora reared and bolted in the wrong direction.
Instead of trying to stop him, I pulled him around in a large
circle until we were heading in the same direction as the others. I
tried not to swear at the fact we were a good thirty horse lengths
behind the others.

“I should have taken Dad up on his offer, you
idiotic, flighty, undeserving…” I stopped insulting him and
concentrated on planning out the race with this added setback. I
let Klora have his head until we’d gotten within twenty horse
lengths behind the others. “Alright, then, easy now. You can pass
them later on.” I glanced up at the sky. “Thanks a lot,” I
mumbled.

The first fork in the course arrived and we
all turned to the left. I watched as Caleb rammed his horse into
one of the twins, causing his horse to run along the edge of the
path. A branch caught the rider in the head and toppled him off of
his horse.

I slowed Klora. “Hal, are you alright?”

He nodded, though his freckles stood out
against his skin which had gone white with pain. “Don’t let that
bastard win, Chael.” He stood, holding his arm, and grabbed his
mare’s reins. “Go, I’ll walk back.”

I spun Klora and spurred him forward.
Branches and shrubs flew by as he picked up speed. Once the others
were in view again, I slowed him, not wanting to wear him out. The
smell of horse sweat filled my nostrils and the heat from his body
warmed my hands. I pictured the map in my head.

“Gods’ sakes, Chael, I could use a bit of
luck right about now.” I frowned. “And I don’t mean your kind.” I
turned my attention to Klora. “We’ll be getting to the swamp right
away. I’d appreciate it if you paid a bit of attention to where I
tell you to go. I don’t feel like getting sucked into the damn
thing today.”

Klora snorted. The crowd ahead of us was
starting to spread out and we were catching up to the ones who were
lagging behind.

“You’re brother’s walking back, Harry. I
think he broke his arm, but he’s fine!”

Harry looked back under his arm, his shaggy
orange hair blowing into his face.

“What happened to Hal?” he yelled.

“After the first fork, when you were ahead,
Caleb sent his horse into your brother’s mare and sent him off the
path. A branch took him out.”

Harry swore. “Bastard. He knows the only way
he’ll win this is if he cheats.” He glared ahead to the others who
were just at the edge of the swamp. “Which path are you taking?” he
inquired.

“The one on the right; it’s the widest.”

“It’s also the longest.”

“I’d rather make up the time afterwards as
oppose to fighting my way out of the muck because Klora thought he
should jump off the path.”

He shook his head in amazement. “Honestly,
Chael, I don’t know why you bother with that horse.”

I let Klora have a bit more of his head and
smiled as we moved ahead of Harry. “If you can keep up until the
end of the race, you’ll see why.”